Key Takeaways: Estate planning can be difficult to talk about—a 2021 Gallup poll showed that 64% of American adults working with a financial advisor have never discussed their estate plans with that advisor. A distribution of assets plan can help ease your anxiety and broach the difficult subject of legacy planning with a trusted financial...
Read more about Fundamentals of Estate Planning
Figuring out what would happen to your loved ones if something happened to you may seem stressful and time-consuming. But if you want a say in who gets what — and most importantly who cares for your kids (or your pets) — then you need an estate plan. You may think you don’t need one...
Read more about 6 Essential Estate Planning Documents
If you’re running a business, you should have a contingency plan in case one or more key people leave, no matter if it’s because of retirement, death, a disagreement over strategy or a job opportunity at another firm. In some cases, such planning is crucial to ensure an orderly transition in ownership. It is an...
Read more about What You Need to Know About Business Continuity Planning
If you’re a just-married bride or groom, you may assume the planning is over. But there are lots of logistics to help you make a smooth transition to married life. Check out our post-wedding checklist. 1. Obtain your marriage certificate A marriage certificate, or an official document that tells of the legal status of your...
Read more about What to Do After You Get Married
A reference Trusts are an integral part of estate planning and funding a trust so that it meets the needs of a client’s estate and wealth transfer goals involves a proper and sound strategy. Nearly any type of asset can be used to fund a trust, including stocks, bonds, cash, mutual funds, real estate property,...
Read more about Using annuities in trusts
You just packed up your life and moved it into another state. You’re tired, but you’re relieved. The boxes are all inside, you’ve got the keys in hand and you’re having a seat now to soak it all in. But there’s something still nagging at you, what’s left to do? Oh, that’s right! You still...
Read more about How to Change State Residency
A revocable living trust, or simply a living trust, is legal entity created to hold ownership of assets generally used to determine how their assets will be handled after they die. The person who creates this living trust is called the grantor or the trustmaker and typically also serves as the trustee, meaning they handle...
Read more about What Is a Revocable Living Trust?
When most people think of a trust, they think of it as something rich people set up for their children. But a trust can have much wider uses than that, serving a range of people. A trust is a legal entity where money, property, or assets belonging to one party (the settlor) is overseen by...
Read more about What Is a Trust in Business?
Shopping has evolved dramatically over the past several decades, providing consumers with more choice and convenience whether they shop in brick-and-mortar stores or browse online for their purchases. Even holiday shopping has adapted to the changing landscape, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday appealing to online and in-store shoppers. It’s easy to assume there is a...
Read more about Online Shopping vs. In-Store Shopping: Pros and Cons
House flipping has become a lucrative market for many. And with number of shows dedicated to these endeavors, you may be interested in what it takes to flip a property. But first, what does it mean to flip a house? What is ‘Flipping Houses’? House flipping is an investment strategy in the real estate market....
Read more about 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Flipping Homes
Moving is almost always a process that requires ample planning, but moving to a different state has its own unique challenges. Moving to another state means everything is different — from a new home and school to new doctors and pet groomers. And that’s not to mention the task of boxing up your entire life...
Read more about Moving Checklist: Tips for Moving Out of State
A second house might be an investment, a vacation property or a combination of the two. Regardless of its intended use, a rising number of people are purchasing residential real estate. They see real estate as a safer investment than other investments that might come with increased risks. A National Association of Realtors survey showed...
Read more about 3 Things to Consider When Deciding to Buy a Second Home
Speak with your tax preparer to find out which of these changes are best for you. Given the state of the housing market, you might think the saying “There’s value in real estate” doesn’t mean as much as it used to. But there could be money in your house—in the form of potential tax savings....
Read more about How Your Home Can Help You Save on Taxes